Two games
By KYLE WILSON
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kwilson@crestonnews.com
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| CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
Creston’s Travis Kipp shuffle steps and throws from third base against Red Oak Tuesday. With Tyler Coenen on the hill, Creston defeated Red Oak 11-2 in seven innings for their fifth conference victory. |
The pitching faced has been far from top of the line.
Nonetheless, over the past two games, the strides the Creston baseball team has made at the plate has been significant. Against Martensdale on Monday, CHS rapped 15 hits. Creston rallied for 14 more Tuesday, defeating Red Oak 11-2 in seven innings. In the last two games, Creston has totaled 29 hits and 20 runs scored.
"I'd credit coach Birchard with the way we've been swinging the bat lately," Creston shortstop Seth Pals said. "He's reinforced fundamentals, especially pitch selection. He wants us hitting a lot of first pitch fastballs. That's what we've been doing. And we've had success."
Pals has been no stranger to success himself. Against Red Oak, the senior lead recorded an infield single to start the game, then stole second. He singled up the middle in the third, doubled in the fourth and beat out a high chopper to the shortstop in the fifth. Pals' stat line was impressive, going 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, a double and four runs scored.
Creston's lead off hitters, between Pals and Katlin Briley of the softball team, combined for a perfect 8-for-8, swiped five bases, scored seven runs and plated four RBI's.
Pals wasn't the only one causing destruction though. Ben Landers was 1-for-2 with an RBI and reached in all four at bats. And Brad Nauman was 3-for-4 with five RBI's, including a double to the fence in the third that broke the game open. And at the bottom of the line up, in the nine hole, a speedy Spencer Bakerink went 3-for-4 with three singles.
"Those three guys are hitting well," Creston coach Steve Birchard said. "Pals puts the ball in play every time up. And he's dangerous on the bases. Landers hits it to all fields and Nauman is finding the holes. And at the bottom of the line up, Bakerink did a nice job tonight. We are really improving at the plate. I like our approach."
Game breakdown
Creston scored one run in bottom of the first, as Pals singled, stole second and Nauman drove him in. The Panthers broke the game open in the third, scoring five runs. Nauman again drove in the runs, doubling to the fence in center. Nauman recorded three hits and five RBI's for the game and reached base in all four at bats.
"We were pretty fortunate when Brad moved in," Pals said. "He's a good young player. He does a good job of hitting with runners in scoring position. I'm sure he's leading us in RBI's right now. He had another good night tonight."
Red Oak bounced back to score two in the top of the fourth, closing the deficit to 6-2 but Creston added two more in the bottom of the inning, and three more in the fifth as CHS was assisted by a two-out error by Red Oak shortstop Nick Crouse.
Tyler Coenen was consistent on the hill for Birchard, recording his first win since he was a freshman, playing on the ninth-grade squad, he said. Coenen went the distance, pitching five innnings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two.
"Tyler's not an overpowering pitcher," Pals said. "He throws strikes and if we play well behind him, we have a good chance of winning. He doesn't have very many wins this year because he's had to face Harlan and Norwalk. He's faced some good teams."
Creston continues play tonight, hosting Waukee and is slated for another home game Thursday, a Hawkeye 10 battle against Atlantic beginning at appoximately 7:30 p.m. Creston defeated Atlantic in the last meeting but the Trojans are playing better baseball, now holding the fourth spot in the conference at 8-6 overall.
